Concrete wall form



Sept. 2, 1947. F. F. sTApELHoFER CONCRETE WALL FORM Filed June 27, 1945 i [naar: for: @02M Patented Sept. 2, 1.947

UNI-TED SIAIES .@TNT' OFFICE CONCRETE WALL FORM FredF.` Stadelhofer, Berkeley, Calif.

Application `lume. 27, 1945, Serial No. 601,851;

This invention, a concrete form and method of forming concrete Walls provides an improvement over existent methodsof forming the Walls of'concrete structures because ofthe economy in construction involving theY saving of materials, time and labor, rigidity and uniformity of the structure, the aesthetic appearance created and particular adaptability to the mostmodern types of structures. It eliminatesthe cost of insetting of frames and preformedornamenting and lighting or glazing, andgreatly increases the speed of constructiom Themethod is particularly adapted to the construction of manufacturing plants and workshops, art' studiosandI to such portions of private vdwellings wh'ere an abundance-of daylight is desirable. It is also very desirable forA exposed walls of retail and wholesale establishments andthe like because of the uniformity of lightingv` Itcan alsobe used in the construction ofroofs where skylighting is desirable.

The objects and advantages of the invention are as follows:

First, toprovi'devamethod by which concrete vvalls` of structures eanbe mostV economically and 'quickly completeiwith a minimumr ottime, labor and material.

Second, to provide a method. as` outlined by which all insertible elements are-cast-` directly into the wall with the pouring of the, concrete and including all light-transmitting elements, door and window frames and the like so that. after-fitting, grouting, and glazing, will be dispensed with.

Third, to provide a methodes outlined bywhich light transmitting elements,. door/ and Window frames, and ornamental devices canr be. cast in place flush With either side of the Wall irrespective of the thickness of the Wall.

Fourth, to provide a means forfcastng`Y the Walls of concrete structures in ,which insertible elements such as light transmitting elements, door and vvindow frames,` and ornamental elements,A initially form a part of the form, and after pouring ofthe concrete, form an integral part ofthe Wall.

Fifth, to. provide a formas outlined in which inserts such as glasslolooks canbe arranged-in any desired pattern or arrangement, withv the inserts functioning as spacers between: thewalls of the form until theconcrete is poured and-set, and thereafter :forming-arr` integral part of the Wall structure.

In describing the invention reference will be made to .th'e accompanying drawings, in- Which:-

Fig. I isa side elevationshown with portions 12 Claims. (CL Z55-131)' of'one side Wall broken away to illustrate theinterior construction of the form.

Fig. r2 is an end elevationof Fig. 1. y

Fig. 3is an enlarged fragmentary sideview of one of the glass block retainers.

Fig. Llis a section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view ofone method of connecting aseries of forms and extensions.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section through a Wall and one ofthe glass blocks as formed by my method'.

Fig. 7 illustrates the adaptability of the arrangement for replacement of broken glass blocks by conventional Window or plate glass.

The invention consists of a method of casting concrete Walls in which all inserts for the wall are cast in place instead ofbeing tted after the Wall has been poured and set. By this method, all precast or pre-formed elements which are to be mounted in the Wall are positively located in their correct' positions and immovably secured4 in the form.

The methodv involves a form or plurality of forms each of which consists of two side plates or panels, the various elements which are to be included inthe nished wall` and which are to initially function as spacers in the form, and tie elements to prevent spreading of the panels under flui'dpressure during pouring ofithe concrete, and to secure the inserts in the exact positions which they are to occupy in the speciiic portion of the Wall vto be formed by that form.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the panel l0. is ,providedwith insert locators and retainersll, While the panel |`2v has no such 1ocators or retainers. With this arrangementI the glass block I3 Will be flush with the side I4 (Fig. 6) the, finished wall l5 formed by the panel I2, and inset. from the other` side I6 formedby the panel IB'. In case the vvall is, not requiredto be any thicker than the glass block, the respective panels will contact the respective endsv of the block with one of the panels provided with relatively thin locators and retainers l1, the panels, |,0 being illustrated with deep-set locators, and retainers H on one side and` shallovv locators and retainers il on the other side, wherebythe panel need mere,- ly be turned inside out for narrow Walls.. These locatorsv and retainers are made readily removable as indicated at I8. and are required on only one panel if the other end of the blockis to be flush with the face of the Wall, but if the block I3 is to be centered, then the locators. and retainers are provided on bothv panels. The block is 1o cated and retainedin positionby the Wall IS and rests on the surface 20, therefore the thickness of the finished wall will be equal to the thickness of the block or insert I3, plus the height of the surface 20 above the panel face 2| if one side of the block is to be ush, and plus the combined height of the surfaces 20 above the respective panel faces if the block is not to be ush with either wall. The height can be varied to suit the blocks or other inserts to be used and the specic thickness of wall desired. Y

Through-fastening devices 22 which may consist of bolts or other types of fastening elements which are well known in the art, are spaced to give ample support against fluid pressure and to immovably retain the blocks or inserts in position during pouring of the concrete. These fastening devices are located in the paths of the reinforcing rods 23 used in the wall structure and provide support for these rods. Special hand holes to permit tying the lower ends of` the reinforcing rods to the fastening devices are provided with cleated covers 24 secured by one of the fastening devices as shown. With this arrangement, the

blocks can be arranged symmetrically throughout the wall and can be left out at any point, it merely being necessary to remove the locator and retainer, and for locating a door or window frame 25 or the like, all locators and retainers are removedfrom the area to be occupied by the are not so desirable because it would not permitV direct'reversal of the panels asis possible with either the latches 29 or the plates 30, both of which are recessed in slots in the ends of the vpanels'but the latter of which is preferable because it forms aseal at the joint. As will be noted, ai slot 3| is formed endWise throughout the height of the panel, the plate is inserted and secured -by means of screwsV 32 as isclearly illustrated in Fig. 5, the screws being just long enough to extend through the panel and being secured in threaded aperturesY in .the plate, and the plates are therefore readily removable when not needed.

If the block pattern is to be continuous, closures in the form of plugs 33 cut to t between the outer sides of two adjacent blocks and just between the adjacent corners, and secured in position by bolts 34 are provided. When the section has been poured and is set, the outer halves onthellast tier of blocks will extend beyond the concrete, then if the form isreloaded and placed in proper position the concrete will fill around the remainder ofthe previous blocks and provide an unbroken pattern.

It will be noted that the base sections canlb-e poured along with the foundation, by supporting the wall section form on top ofthe foundation form 35. Y Y Y Obviously, there is always a possibility that after therbuilding is completed and in use, certain of the blocks may be broken, and this sys- I tem provides the most advantageous arrangement for repairing any such breaks, because the broken bloclrcan be completely broken out with very little effort, andV a new block without the cir- 'essary toplace ther formin its proper position,

cumferential locking ribs can beY inserted, or any other type of filler can be substituted, the best substitution in such case being a pane of glass 36 which will seat against the shoulder 31 formed by the ridge 38 or Il left by the locator and retainer, with the glass puttied in place as indicated at 39.

Thus all elements which are to form a part of the wall structure of the building initially function as spacers and forms in the concrete-pouring form, and after the concrete is set and the forms removed, these elements no longer are a part of the form, but an integral part of the building, cast right inV place. Y Y

As previously mentioned, any type of ornamental or other type of block can be cast in the wall, but the main purposen is to cast conventional glass blocks in a concrete wall to provide the best lighting effect, and an exceptionally strong wall with complete sealing around all glass blocks. By this method the advantages of f-the glass blocks are retained with lower cost because of the concrete spacing between the blocks, and much greater strength on account of the reinforced concrete lattice, in which the blocks are set.-

Assembly of the various inserts for the wall isv made under the most favorable conditions, right in the form, where strict measurements can eas.

ily be adhered to and` where an accurate layout of the arrangement is possible.

The tapershown in Fig. 6 is for two purposes; that of providing the necessary draft so no difculty will be encountered Vin removing the panels n assembled between the panels and the completed Vform delivered to the job. Y 1

The frames are preferably releasably secured .to

the panel by means of dowels or taper pins so Y' that `the panels can vbe removedV without disturbing'the frames or insert positioning and retainingY means., 5 i

After theforms'are completed it is merelyjnecpour the concrete, and after the concrete has set, remove the panels which release themselves from the frames, then remove the frames from the recesses shown in Figs. 6 and, 'Land finally withdraw the; tie members or cut Yoff the projectingend. p If the tie members are vtaperedor otherlY Y wise removable, the

holes left can beLgrouted in. I claim:

1. A form for castingv (concrete. walls compris! ing a vface panel for each side of the `walland having each an inside face and an outside face; insert positioning and retaining means on the inside face of one panel Vfor positioning and retaining *inserts` to be cast'withinthe concrete wall and initially functioning Yas spacers between said panels; andrtransverse tying means cooperating between said panels to secure the inserts against displacement during pouring of the concrete.

2. A structure as defined in claimul; Ysaid posif tioning and retaining means comprising each "a rectangular frame removably'secur'ed to 'thein-Y side face of said one panel and located with the major axes in horizontal and vertical alignments Y andrspaced apart to provide a latticework of diag- Anate air pockets.

3. A structure as dened in claim 1; said positioning and retaining means each consisting of a rectangular frame to encompass the end of an insert, and with said frames located in diagonal series to form a latticework of channels therebetween for pouring of concrete; and in which said transverse tying elements are located within said channels to function simultaneo-usly as supports for reinforcing rods and as means to retain the panels against spreading under uid pressure of concrete during pouring and previous to setting.

4. A structure as defined in claim 1; said panels having cooperative securing and sealing means for releasably securing the adjacent ends of a series of panels together and provide leakproof joints,

5. A structure as dened in claim 1; said panels each having a groove formed inwardly from each end and extending throughout the height of the panel; and a plate having its respective sides releasably secured in the grooves of the abutting ends of two panels and extending throughout the height of the panels.

6. A structure as dened in claim 1; said panels each having a groove formed inwardly from each edge and extending throughout the circumferential extent of the panel; and coupling members tting within said grooves; securing means for releasably securing the respective ends of the coupling members in the respective grooves of the abutting ends of the panels to form a continuous leakproof series of forms for a single pouring of concrete.

7. A structure as defined in claim 1; said insert positioning and retaining means comprising a frame including a seat portion in spaced relation to the inside face of the panel for cooperation with the face of an insert, a circumferential ridge to cooperate with the peripheral edges of said face and with the outside of the frame having outwardly divergent walls to provide draft for removal from the concrete after setting thereof and to provide shedding surfaces in the recess formed thereby in the nished concrete wall.

8. A structure as defined in claim 1; sai-d insert positioning and retaining means comprising each a frame having outwardly divergent walls for draft in the form and a water shed in the finished wall, and having a seat portion for cooperation with the face of an insert and spaced from the inside face of the panel to form a recess in the nished wall in front of the insert, and having a circumferential ridge to cooperate with the peripheral edge of the said one face of the insert, and being releasably secured in position by means of dowels to permit retention of the frame in the iinished Wall While the panels are removed, with the frame thereafter being individually removable from the wall.

9. A structure as dened in claim 1; said insert positioning and retaining means being located diagonally in series and horizontally and vertically equally spaced to form a latticework of channels for concrete; and closures for the spaces between adjacent corners of the last vertical series in the form for starting the pouring of concrete in the next stage around the projecting halves of inserts from the previous pouring of concrete to form a continuous unbroken pattern.

10. In a form for casting concrete walls; face panels; means for positioning and retaining spacers between said panels, and means for securing the spacers releasably in position between said panels; and in Which said means for positioning and retaining consists of rectangular frames removably secured to one of said panels and located with the corners in respective vertical and horizontal series and equally spaced to form a latticework with intervening diagonal channels between the frames and spacers for pouring of concrete; said means for releasably securing said spacers comprising tying elements for securing the panels against spreading under the iiuid pressure of the concrete and passing through intersections of diagonal channels to coincidently function as supports for reinforcing rods.

11. Means for locating and retaining glass blocks in position in a concrete pouring form during the pouring of the concrete comprising a panel for each side of the form; a frame having outwardlyfdivergent peripheral surfaces and terminating inwardly in a ridge portion with an intervening seat to provide a thrust surface for one face of a glass block, and tying elements to tie the panels against spreading under llui'd pressure of the concrete during pouring and to secure the glass blocks against displacement.

12. A structure as defined in claim 1; said positioning and retaining means comprising frames removably attached to said inside face of said one panel for encompassing and positioning ends of the inserts, and with the inside face of the other panel being plane with the other ends of the inserts.

FRED F. STADELI-IOFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,555,414 Hale Sept. 29, 1925 2,352,783 Geer July 4, 1944 2,178,535 Wilson Oct. 31, 1939 1,366,726 Geiger et al Jan. 25, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 610,761 France 1926 

